Exploring Thailand's Ancient Capitals: Ayutthaya, Lopburi, and Sukhothai

Journey Through Thailand's Old Capitals

• ✈️ The Amateur Traveler podcast explores the ancient capitals of Thailand: Ayutthaya, Lopburi, and Sukhothai, offering a different perspective than the typical tourist trail.
• 🚆 Traveling by day train from Bangkok provides a scenic route through the countryside, showcasing rural Thailand, small towns, and local life, unlike the night train which misses these views.
• 🍜 At train stops, vendors offer local snacks and regional Thai food, including som tum (papaya salad) and various Thai dessert snacks, at very affordable prices (around 10-20 baht).

Ayutthaya: The First Ancient Capital

• 🏛️ Ayutthaya, about 1.5 hours from Bangkok, was one of Thailand's former capitals, with many temples, some well-preserved and others in ruins.
• 🌳 A famous sight is the Buddha head entwined in a banyan tree, a popular image often featured in travel guides.
• 🚶‍♀️ While crowded with day-trippers from Bangkok between 10 AM and 2 PM, the mornings and evenings offer a quieter experience to explore the temples.
• 🌃 The night market in Ayutthaya is highlighted as a great place to experience authentic local Thai food at local prices.

Lopburi: City of Monkeys and Khmer Influence

• 🐒 Lopburi, influenced by Khmer rule, is now known for its wild troops of monkeys that roam the city, particularly around a large temple dedicated to them.
• ⚠️ Travelers are advised to be cautious of the monkeys, as they are accustomed to humans and may steal food directly from people.
• 🇰🇭 The city boasts the best selection of Khmer-style buildings in Thailand, recognizable by their spires resembling Angkor Wat, distinct from traditional Thai temple architecture.
• 🍜 Lopburi also features a large night market near the train station, offering very local Thai food at prices significantly lower than in Bangkok.

Sukhothai: The Best Preserved Ancient Capital

• 🏞️ Sukhothai, now a national park, offers the best-preserved temples in Thailand, with larger complexes and more intact structures compared to other sites.
• 🚌 Reaching Sukhothai involves a train to Phitsanulok, followed by a bus to the park, and then often a local taxi (red truck) to reach accommodations or the park itself.
• 🗺️ While Lonely Planet provided basic information, more in-depth knowledge about the history and significance of Sukhothai's numerous temples would have enhanced the visit.
• 🤩 Ayutthaya is noted for its beauty, but Sukhothai excels in terms of size and preservation of its ancient temple complexes.

Travel Tips and Reflections

• 🦟 Bug spray is essential packing for this region, alongside being prepared for encounters with monkeys.
• 😌 The old capitals offer a sense of space and quiet compared to the bustling crowds and touts of Bangkok.
• 💰 The region is described as rural, cheap, and beautiful, offering an authentic slice of Thailand.
• 🌐 Matt Kepnes shares his travel experiences on his website, NomadicMatt.com.